Source: CROW Fietsberaad

Two years ago, a trial was launched in the Netherlands province of Utrecht, allowing speed pedelec owners to apply for an exemption, which allows them to choose to ride at a maximum of 30 km/h on cycle paths, or at a maximum of 45 km/h on roads. The scheme has now been extended for another five years.

12 municipalities in the province are now participating, and 70% of speed pedelec owners have applied for the exemption. According the Utrecht municipality, the numbers of accidents and complaints have not increased since the exemption was introduced, despite numbers of speed pedelecs on the road having increased. The speed pedelec is seen in the province as a sustainable mobility solution, and the exemption was introduced to promote greater uptake.

After the five-year extension, the province and municipalities will decide on any further continuation.

Speed pedelec owners can apply for the exemption at the municipality of Utrecht, which also arranges this on behalf of the other participating municipalities: Amersfoort, Barneveld, Bunschoten, De Ronde Venen, Nijkerk, Soest, Veenendaal, Vijfheerenlanden, Wageningen, Wijk bij Duurstede and Zeist.